The former Manchester United footballer is accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour against Kate Greville, as well as assaulting her and her sister Emma Greville. He denies the charges against him.
Home affairs reporter @DavidMercerSky
Monday 8 August 2022 10:09, UK
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Ryan Giggs is set to face trial today accused of attacking and controlling his ex-girlfriend and assaulting her sister.
The former Manchester United footballer is alleged to have used controlling and coercive behaviour against Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020.
He is also charged with assaulting Ms Greville, 36, and causing her actual bodily harm, as well as the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on 1 November 2020.
Giggs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The 48-year-old was due to face trial in January, but the hearing was put back due to the ongoing backlog of court cases exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 10-day trial is due to begin on Monday at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court before it transfers to Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday for the remainder of the proceedings.
Arrangements for the case were finalised on Thursday after Manchester Crown Court had to close due to testing for asbestos.
Giggs stood down as manager of the Wales national football team in June following a period of leave since November 2020.
In a statement, he said he did not want the country’s preparations for this year’s World Cup in Qatar to be “affected, destabilised or jeopardised in any way by the continued interest around this case”.
During Giggs’ time at Old Trafford, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.
He won 64 caps for Wales and is co-owner of League Two side Salford City.
